Photo Credit: Hunger Magazine/Instagram
Tiwa Savage, often hailed as the Queen of Afrobeats, has ventured into uncharted territory with her latest project, revealing a side of herself she’s never exposed before. After nearly twenty years of dominating the music scene with electrifying performances and chart-topping hits, she has peeled back the layers of her persona in her new album, “This One Is Personal.” This 16-track collection, featuring collaborations with artists like Skepta, Taves, and James Fauntleroy, stands as her most intimate and heartfelt work to date.
Speaking to Apple Music, Tiwa shared, “This album is the most exposed I’ve ever been in my music. Each song reflects a chapter of my life. It took me two years to bring this project to life.”
Dropping just eighteen hours before her headline performance at London’s iconic KOKO venue, the album marks a return to her R&B origins while still embracing the Afrobeats sound that has propelled her to international acclaim. Now featured on the cover of Hunger Magazine, the 45-year-old Grammy nominee candidly discusses themes of love lost, recovery, and why some tracks remain too raw to perform live.
Here are some highlights from her interview:
Experiencing the debut live performance of the new album
“It was incredible, though I was definitely anxious! We only announced the London show two days before it happened. Since the album had just been released, I worried the audience wouldn’t know the lyrics yet. Afrobeats usually gets people dancing and singing along, but this album leans more into smooth R&B vibes. Still, the crowd was so supportive. I’m still learning all the words myself, and they kept encouraging me, saying, ‘Sing, girl!’ When you create something genuine and true to yourself, success follows naturally.”
Collaborating with Skepta on ‘On The Low’
“Working with Skepta was a refreshing change from the emotional intensity of the studio sessions. Plus, he’s quite the charmer! It was a nice shift in energy. Beyond that, he’s a consummate professional-he told me he loved the track, would add his verse, and by the next morning, I had it.”
Responding to age-related criticism and societal expectations
“At 27, I was once told I was ‘too old’ to get signed, and recently someone on X told me to stop singing and ‘get married and rest.’ I used to feel frustrated about starting my career later than some, but now I understand there’s a purpose. I’m here to inspire beyond just music. If you’re 25 and haven’t been signed yet, look at my journey and know it’s never too late. I embrace my age openly and refuse to let anyone’s opinions hold me back. I’ll be singing even in a wheelchair, still looking fabulous, and yes, still stealing hearts.”
Discover the full interview here.
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